1. October 16, 2009
   

   My favorite place in Key West to spend an afternoon. Hearing McCloud play and drinking a beer. The funniest thing I ever hear someone say there was “I don’t want no lap top, lap dog or lap dance.” Works for me.

   Chuck
2. November 11, 2009
   

   My wife and I were there July of 2009. Spent the day on the water and after returning we were walking past the Schooner to our hotel and heard Michael playing. He is a must see and hear. A gifted story teller and entertainer and the beer was good and cold.

   Ed
3. May 8, 2011
   

   Best song: I want to be a Schooner Wharf dog.

   Bill
4. June 20, 2011
   

   We go to see Michael every June .then we play his music all year long until our next visit. He is great.see you in a couple of weeks

   Eileen
5. March 24, 2012
   

   will move there soon BEEN LISTING TO YOU FOR MANY YEARS HOPE TO MEET U IN PERSON SOON !!!!

   jc
6. June 21, 2012
   

   I do enjoy your music, and try to hear you every time can get to Key West. Unfortunately I just do not get there enough. My life’s desire is to make that my home also, so I like hearing all about it. Just can’t get enough.
   Thank you for your influence,
   Jerry

   Jerry Pirkl
7. August 14, 2013
   

   Michael your originals touch me. We’ve met several times while I was in Key West but you meet so many people you wouldn’t remember. I do the same thing in a small town called Jackson, Tn. I lived the Florida life for 30 years but returned home for some reason. ??????? Thanks for your music.

   Rick Williams
8. August 23, 2013
   

   Have heard Michael several times in KW! Luv this music and his style! Schooner Wharf Bar is one of all time favorite KW spots to sit back and chill!

   KruzinParrots
9. October 31, 2013
   

   I remember you (I am pretty sure it was you) from my trip to KW in the late 90’s…..I think it was 97, as Mel Fisher had not passed yet. You were singing from your CD “Greta’s Tit’s”……who can forget that. I forgot you name, but not the CD and I loved your songs. The reason I now remember was I just watched an episode of City Confidential and you were on it. I am so glad I tuned it. I always wanted to say thanks for a great afternoon that day. I am pretty sure I missed some sights but had a great time being entertained by you.

   Take Care and Keep Doing What You Do Best!
   Jackie
   Cincinnati, OH 45249

   Jackie Johnson
10. December 10, 2013
    

    we love you

    rhonda
11. December 12, 2013
    

    Still claiming to be the person who wrote Natures Way instead of Randy California?

    J.Fiscel
12. January 29, 2014
    

    I’ve listened to you and visited SWB every time i visit the Keys. Thank you for your songs,poetry and humor over the years. You always make me smile,look forward to seeing you again soon, Lisa Anderson,Tx

    Lisa Farmer
13. March 31, 2014
    

    Absolutely the best way to spend your lunch is with Michael McCloud at the SWB in Key West, listen to his words this guy gets it and is enjoying life, are you, I hope so its short…

    K Faulkner
14. September 4, 2014
    

    my favorite song is the one you wrote for your wife. I can’t remember the name of it but it touched my heart. My boy friend bought your cd but it wasn’t on it. This boyfriend of 16 years left me .now but I would love to hear that song again. Can you let me know the name of it and if you have it recorded on a cd. He had his picture taken with you and he had grey hair. I gave you the smile finger across my lips. by chance do you remember us? Debbie Peterson

    Debbie
15. March 22, 2015
    

    We were there back in 2010, and thoroughly enjoyed our days at the Schooner listening to Michael! We bought 2 cd’s and have pretty much worn them out. We are planning another trip there in June, 2015..am hoping he is still there???

    Michele Andrade
16. May 24, 2015
    

    HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU OLD SALTY DOG!!!

    STILL LOVE YOU AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

    Victoria Shepherd
17. June 26, 2015
    

    I miss u and Rose lots. As we get older, we reflect back and only a few people are still a part of our life. Love you!!!

    Karen Layton
18. September 1, 2015
    

    I’m the same age as mike. been picking since 59. he is my kind of music, real talent. love listening to him. I used to play the coffee houses in the 60’s ,, till nam . still strum on my ol’ martin. he lives the life I crave.

    joe p. fulton
19. April 29, 2016
    

    I love spending the lazy Key West afternoons at Schooner Wharf listening to Michael! He is always entertaining and look forward to seeing him in 3 weeks 😃

    Amy baker
20. May 25, 2016
    

    My wife and I were in key west for a couple of days several years ago. We did not get to see you preform at that time, regrettably. Since then I have kept in touch with the performers thru the various stage cams. I really enjoy listening to your time slot at Schooner Warf. You are a great treasure in key west! I really like your version of Tree Top Flier. P.s.mthey need to get the michrophone nearer the stage. I have to hold my I pad to my ear to hear you.

    All the best, your fan.

    Craig Draxten.

    Craig Draxten
21. June 9, 2016
    

    Been to Key West x 3, a stop at the Schooner is always a must when MM is playing. His 2014 CD is also a must if you’re from “our” generation. He does Clapton proud especially.

    Sarah P

Michael McCloud
Live at The Schooner Wharf Bar

Songwriting is not an exact art. The fickle finger of fate makes and breaks plenty of men and women with musical talent, ambition, good timing or serious mentors. Michael McCloud, a 30-year music veteran in the Keys, said even Shel Silverstein was occasionally afflicted with “hardening of the artistry.” “That was Shel’s term for the mental block that stalls a song in progress; a point of diminishing return when you need another artist,” McCloud said as casually as he was dressed – denim shirt, blue jeans. “We worked together on several songs, but nothing came of them. Songwriting is like fishing or mining for gold; when it works, it’s special.” So McCloud, who claims he’s one of the few musicians here who has “never been musically unemployed,” adds mental perspective, priorities and agenda to the blend of variables that contribute to musical success. “To make a living, you have to learn how to control your ego – working on stage is not for timid egos – and the most important person is the customer, who often has incredibly bad taste in music,” McCloud said. McCloud is a master of the request format because “I have no particular style. This forced me to appreciate all kinds of music,” he said, “and it’s my job to entertain customers, even with requests I don’t like. You see, out there somewhere is a guy working on a rooftop who wants my job.” McCloud’s regular “house gig” is at Schooner Wharf Bar from noon to 5 p.m. He’s been a solo guitarist there for five years, but his success formula includes two gigs. “Every musician needs a night job similar to the day job, but you have to keep the two different enough to look forward to the other one,” he said. “Then you have to give back to the community. I have other local players work with me on weekends at Schooner Wharf and at Willy T’s.” McCloud concurs with Evalena Worthington, owner of Schooner Wharf, who says the bar business and the music business have a symbiotic relationship. “I can eyeball a crowd to know if I’m paying for myself,” McCloud said. “When no one’s listening, I turn the speakers to myself and try to sound better. “When my talent brings in customers, I also sell my CDs. I sell two locally produced CDs, which keep me from breaking the bank of the people I’m playing for, at the same time, I’m advertising my products.” “Gretastits” (his preferred spelling of “greatest hits”) and “Ain’t Life Grand” are two McCloud CDs that mix everything from blues to jazz to country ballads. Recently, McCloud was mulling over a song idea inspired by “an overachieving, underpaid waitress who couldn’t afford to live here,” and a customer asked him why this woman tapped his creative energy. “She’s a real nice girl playing hard to forget,” replied McCloud. And a new song was born.

• Michael McCloud
  Live at The Schooner Wharf Bar
• PO Box 72
• Key West, FL 33041-0072